A MULTI-CULTURAL, multi-event charity night at Field Sports & Social Club is growing more popular by the year and the driving force behind it, Shakil Rashid, is determined to drum up some well-deserved publicity.

The Bradford event has been going for eight years and for the second successive year, it is looking to raise money for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

This year's event will take place on Saturday, March 16 from 4:30pm. Shakil, from Clayton, and his company, Lill Brothers fish merchants, are proud hosts.

Close friend Mark Polack, who is chief marketing officer at Bradford-based company Smart Organic Solutions, is a key force in helping to run the event too and the pair visited the Telegraph & Argus to tell us more.

Shakil and Mark said: "Whatever we make from the night goes straight to charity. It used to be for diabetes and now we've chosen cancer as we all know someone affected by it.

"Shakil lost his cousin and two staff to cancer recently. A close friend lost her mother to the disease and her young daughter gave a tribute on stage at the event to her grandmother."

The event raised £8,000 last year but it is not just about raising money. Shakil and Mark both expressed pride in how the event brings the Bradford community together.

People of all ages and faiths attend and the pair enthused: "There's a diversity of people all coming together for one cause. We don't want communities to feel separated.

"We have alcohol there for example but plenty of Muslims still come along and enjoy themselves.

"All sorts of businesses donate and restaurants provide us with food too. Last year we ordered in over 200 pizzas and the restaurants donate prizes like tables for a family of four.

"We also want to bring youngsters to the forefront and there's a lot of them that perform as dance groups and singers.

"They all get a little certificate for sacrificing their time and effort and it helps build their self-esteem.

"Tickets are £8 (£9 on the door) and Under 10s go free. That pays for all the food and entertainment and it lends itself to an electric atmosphere.

"Last year, it was standing room only so we've managed to get the whole premises at Field Sports & Social Club this time around. The Lord Mayor is even coming this year."

Shakil's friend Loxley Forbes, always comes up from London to host the occasion and his reassuring presence was a relief to one brave participant at last year's event.

Shakil recalled: "One of our friends, Amanda Swales, grew her hair for ages. We then had people pay to come and cut it and that was then sent to China to make a wig for cancer sufferers.

"One key thing about the event is we always know where the money we raise gets spent."

Asked whether there was a key message to take from the event, the pair mused: "Let's be proud of proud of Bradford.

"It's a very diverse community, but as this event shows, it can be cohesive as well."